Page 42 of The Prince from a Cruel Summer
WONDER BOY
“Your trial was vicious, Aidan,” Damian says with a grin. He admires our surroundings, his keen eyes able to see past the beauty of the gardens to the traps underneath. “It’s a pity they’re clearing it out so soon. I see the marshes are already gone…” he trails off.
I keep a neutral expression. “My father wanted the labyrinth to be dealt with early this year. He’s planning to host a big party for my mother’s birthday.”
The Crow scrutinizes me for a minute longer, and I know he doesn’t buy the story I’ve tried to shove down everyone’s throats. It’s strictly true, of course, but I was the one who gave my father the idea to destroy the labyrinth so we could grow an enchanted forest in time for the queen’s birthday. No one will be able to figure out why I was truly in such a hurry to see the place destroyed, the proof of my meddling in Beth’s trial erased.
Damian finally gives up and heads toward Devi, who’s now lying down on the small beach, and Ezra takes the opportunity to join me in my shallow pool.
“I think you forgot to mention something,boo,” he whispers. “Come on, repeat after me: I have a huge crush on Beth.”
“I have a huge crush on Beth,” I sigh.
“Wait. She’s the one you’ve been sending all those conspicuously unremarkable notes to.” His carefree smile is wiped out by a reproachful scowl. “There’s no doubt she likes you, too. But that was pretty reckless of you both today. Anyone could have?—”
“I’m lucky it was you.”
“I don’t know…” Ezra picks at his cuticles. “I’m kind of jealous. I could slip up if not for the right incentive. Maybe if you mentioned to her that I could be your third, I’d be more willing to forgive you.”
“Ezra.”
His ice-blue eyes drill holes into me. “It isjusta crush, right?”
I trail my gaze back to Devi, Zeke, and Diana chatting on the beach and grit a dubious answer through clenched teeth. “I don’t know.”
Ezra slaps my bare chest with the back of his hand. “Aidan. She’s a moth. Your father would never let you court her. Or even date her. Hell, if he knew we were having this conversation, he’d find a way to send her packing. She’s only here because she happens to be engaged to Zeke and our fathers are dying to keep Damian off his throne. If that little prince gets too jealous and stupid, it will put her place here in jeopardy.”
“I know. It’s just… I’ve never felt anything like it.”
“Then get it out of your systemdiscreetly. Take her to the cabin. But don’t sneak around in public, because I won’t take the heat for you again.”
“Thanks, mate.”
We drift to safer, easier subjects, but I’m still marinating in the emotions that Beth’s argument with Zeke dredged up. The brief joy felt under the roots has been destroyed by guilt. I pushed her, and while it allowed me to finally determine that the attraction goes both ways, it was too much, too fast.
Devi joins Damian in the pond, and Zeke flirts with Diana without a shred of shame after the scene he caused.What a jerk.My fists clench at my sides. I could kill the guy just for the way he encroached on Beth’s personal space, earlier. She clearly doesn’t want anything to do with him. Arranged marriages are the worst.
Ezra shifts in the small pool and erases Zeke from my vision. “Easy, Othello.” He climbs to his feet, spraying water all over me. “Come on, let’s go back to the loft.”
We leave the others behind and make our way back to our apartments. Ezra and I share a loft on the top floor of the south tower, a perk granted by my position. It’s still only one floor above the Crow and the fourth years, but it’s better than squeezing into an apartment with them.
When we get to the loft, the door is ajar, and Ezra slows down as we near the entrance. “See you later, boo.”
There’s only one person with enough gall to breach our sanctuary.
The sunlight streams in through the wide, arched windows of the loft, painting the floor with golden light. The view is the best on property—on one side, the endless expanse of the ocean, with a clear view of the Saffron Cove, and on the other, the coastal village of Augustus with its tiny, colorful homes and bustling streets.
“Aidan. We had an appointment, son,” my father enunciates slowly, sending shivers up my spine.
The otherwise jovial air of my little world is thick with unspoken grievances. My father stands by the window, his broad back to me as he gazes out at the horizon. His presence fills the room, commanding attention and subservience even in silence. He might only be king consort, but he’s still king.
And he hates to be kept waiting.
“I apologize, Sir. I completely forgot,” I say, using my best repentant voice.
He makes this sound with his lips and tongue that’s equal part disappointment and resignation, like he expected nothing better of me. “It’s your last year in school. You have to start thinking about your future beyond the academy.”
He doesn’t mean my future as king, because he still can’t confront that he and mum will die someday, and I raise a worried brow. “Are you saying you want me to choose a wife?”
